Tips for Burgers, Beef, and Ground Beef

How to Freeze Burgers

How to Thaw Burgers

How to Store Burgers

How to Thaw Beef

How to Freeze Beef

How to Store Beef

How to Pick Ground Beef

How to Thaw Ground Beef

Tip

How to Freeze Burgers

Place patties in a single layer or stack and separate layers with non-greased freezer paper. Insert carefully into a freezer bag, lay flat in the freezer (if you have the room), and consume within three months.

Tip

How to Thaw Burgers

Do not thaw the patties at room temperature. Instead, stick the patties in the refrigerator and wait until they are at least partially thawed. You can grill partially frozen patties, but it may take longer for the centers to finish. This could also result in an unevenly cooked burger.

Tip

How to Store Burgers

Store hamburger patties the same way you’d store ground beef. Either keep the meat in its original container or wrap in saran wrap and insert into a plastic bag. The meat should stay fresh for one to two days.

Tip

How to Thaw Beef

As with most meat, the safest way to thaw beef is in the refrigerator. Small cuts of beef can take up to 24 hours, while larger slabs can take a few days. If you’re in a pinch, frozen beef can be thawed in a bowl or container of lukewarm water. Place the bowl or container in the sink and leave under a running faucet. Never allow raw beef to thaw or sit on a counter or cutting board. Since it takes longer to thaw than most meats, it is more susceptible to bacteria growth.

Tip

How to Freeze Beef

In order to effectively freeze beef, you’ll want to limit its exposure to air. This not only prevents the production of freezer burn, but also extends its shelf life to three months or longer. The best way to package beef is to wrap it tightly in freezer paper or plastic wrap. You should then wrap the meat in a layer of aluminum foil or place it in a plastic bag.

Tip

How to Store Beef

For ground beef, keep refrigerated and use within one to two days. It can stay in its original container if the packaging hasn’t been opened. Steaks follow the same protocol, but can last a bit longer at three to five days. It’s actually best to allow a little airflow with stored meat, as tightly-adhered plastic like Saran wrap can make meat sweat and, as a result, less tender. Meat can be transferred to plastic containers, but should be covered loosely.

Never refrigerate raw meat if it’s been sitting out beyond two hours.

Tip

How to Pick Ground Beef

The possibilities with ground beef are seemingly endless, though you’ll probably want to pay the most attention to cost and fat content. Naturally, the lower the fat content, the higher the price. A leaner meat; however, may not taste as moist and flavorful, so keep that in mind if you’re making a meal that’s prone to dryness (like meatloaf or hamburgers). Sometimes the extra fat can make or break a dish.

Tip

How to Thaw Ground Beef

Like other meats, the best way to thaw ground beef is to leave it in the refrigerator. If you’re in a pinch, take out your frozen meat and place it on a plate under running cold water. A microwave may also work, but it is likely to start cooking your meat, which you’ll want to avoid.

Place patties in a single layer or stack and separate layers with non-greased freezer paper. Insert carefully into a freezer bag, lay flat in the freezer (if you have the room), and consume within three months.

Read More

1 of 8

Next: How to Thaw Burgers

Tip

How to Thaw Burgers

Do not thaw the patties at room temperature. Instead, stick the patties in the refrigerator and wait until they are at least partially thawed. You can grill partially frozen patties, but it may take longer for the centers to finish. This could also result in an unevenly cooked burger.

Read More

2 of 8

Next: How to Store Burgers

Tip

How to Store Burgers

Store hamburger patties the same way you’d store ground beef. Either keep the meat in its original container or wrap in saran wrap and insert into a plastic bag. The meat should stay fresh for one to two days.

Read More

3 of 8

Next: How to Thaw Beef

Tip

How to Thaw Beef

As with most meat, the safest way to thaw beef is in the refrigerator. Small cuts of beef can take up to 24 hours, while larger slabs can take a few days. If you’re in a pinch, frozen beef can be thawed in a bowl or container of lukewarm water. Place the bowl or container in the sink and leave under a running faucet. Never allow raw beef to thaw or sit on a counter or cutting board. Since it takes longer to thaw than most meats, it is more susceptible to bacteria growth.

Read More

4 of 8

Next: How to Freeze Beef

Tip

How to Freeze Beef

In order to effectively freeze beef, you’ll want to limit its exposure to air. This not only prevents the production of freezer burn, but also extends its shelf life to three months or longer. The best way to package beef is to wrap it tightly in freezer paper or plastic wrap. You should then wrap the meat in a layer of aluminum foil or place it in a plastic bag.

Read More

5 of 8

Next: How to Store Beef

Tip

How to Store Beef

For ground beef, keep refrigerated and use within one to two days. It can stay in its original container if the packaging hasn’t been opened. Steaks follow the same protocol, but can last a bit longer at three to five days. It’s actually best to allow a little airflow with stored meat, as tightly-adhered plastic like Saran wrap can make meat sweat and, as a result, less tender. Meat can be transferred to plastic containers, but should be covered loosely.

Never refrigerate raw meat if it’s been sitting out beyond two hours.

Read More

6 of 8

Next: How to Pick Ground Beef

Tip

How to Pick Ground Beef

The possibilities with ground beef are seemingly endless, though you’ll probably want to pay the most attention to cost and fat content. Naturally, the lower the fat content, the higher the price. A leaner meat; however, may not taste as moist and flavorful, so keep that in mind if you’re making a meal that’s prone to dryness (like meatloaf or hamburgers). Sometimes the extra fat can make or break a dish.

Read More

7 of 8

Next: How to Thaw Ground Beef

Tip

How to Thaw Ground Beef

Like other meats, the best way to thaw ground beef is to leave it in the refrigerator. If you’re in a pinch, take out your frozen meat and place it on a plate under running cold water. A microwave may also work, but it is likely to start cooking your meat, which you’ll want to avoid.

Read More

8 of 8

Next: How to Freeze Burgers

Reminiscent of a favorite grilled steak from a local Chinese restaurant, this burger is for ginger lovers. Do not substitute dried ginger for the fresh: unless you are baking, dried ginger rarely works.

Instructions

1Place the beef, cilantro, garlic, ginger and sesame oil in a large mixing bowl and, using your hands, gently mix until the ingredients are evenly incorporated.

2Place the beef on a work surface and divide into 4 balls of equal size. Form each into a patty about 3⁄4 to 1 inch thick, tossing it back and forth between your hands. To ensure more even cooking, make a 1⁄2-inch indentation with your thumb in the center of the burger. Handle the patties as little as possible; do not work more than necessary.

3Prepare a grill to medium-high. When the coals are glowing red, after 15 to 20 minutes, cover with the grate. After 5 minutes, use a wire brush to thoroughly clean the grate. Brush the grate with oil. When the coals are covered with pale gray ash and you can leave your hand 5 inches above the fire for 2 to 3 seconds, the coals are ready.

4Sprinkle both sides of the burgers with the salt. Place the burgers on the grate and grill until well seared on both sides, about 5 minutes for medium rare or 6 minutes for medium. Transfer to buns or a serving platter on greens and serve immediately.

5Alternatively, place a cast iron skillet over high heat and when it is hot but not smoking add the burgers to the dry pan. Cook until well seared on both sides, 8 to 10 minutes for medium rare or 10 to 12 minutes for medium.

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